A few years ago I received Classics 2002 and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. As I write this review I am listening to it through my headphones and find it quite amusing as when the music goes fast or slow I am typing to the speed.
To begin this is a double album featuring a variety of artists and before I start I must add that I am not a fan of women singers in this genre and there are a few women singers on these C.D's. To be perfectly honest there are very few of these tracks that I actually dislike. I do prefer the first C.D .but there are some enjoyable pieces for me on the second one too. This was a very worthwhile present and I still listen to it now which means it must be good.
The inlay lists all the tracks and shows the front of the albums the tracks have been taken from.
When I heard the C.D. for the first time I was instantly taken back to my childhood and it was such a shock that it bought tears to my eyes of the happy times I remembered listening to -
1. Volare -on this album it is sung by Russell Watson so a very powerful voice - This music begins slowly and repeats itself and gradually gets louder culminating into a powerful song which gathers momentum. I don't know what the words mean as it is an Italian love song. Hmm! I could be serenaded any day.
2.Panis Anglicus (Voice of an angel) sung by Charlotte Church - It surprises me that I actually like this as there are very few female classical singers that I can listen to without my ears hurting (truth) But she has a voice which is just comfortable for me any higher and I cringe. She certainly sings this as I would expect an angel to sing.
3. Viva! (Born) Bond - Fast and furious
4. For the next one, anyone who has seen gladiator will know the tune - Now we are free- Hans Zimmer/Lisa Gerrard/Klaus Badelt. I find this music incredibly haunting.
5 is Maria Callas Suicidio! In questi fieri momenti.
6. Something Wonderful sung by Bryn Terfel - A fantastic piece of music from The King and I. I saw this film as a child and then a couple of years ago I was taken on a surprise visit to the London Palladium to see it on the stage. A must for any teacher it was truly Something Wonderful. I think Bryn Terfel has just the right voice for this song.
7. The Unknown Soldier (From the Doors Concerto) - Kennedy - this is truly a wonderful piece of violin playing and so moving.
8. What can I say about the next piece of music? To me just the name Pavrotti sends a tingle down my spine - his voice is fantastic it almost stops me in my tracks whenever or wherever I am What one is it? Ai Giochi addio (Our Tune) From Romeo and Juliet. It is just about to play, light flute, sweet and gently played then ohh! He has such a wonderful deep voice, shivers- what a magnificent voice.
9. I adore the next track and would possibly want this played at my funeral. Time to say goodbye by Sarah Brightman. I think sometimes we just never do have time to say goodbye and to me this would be my goodbye.
10. Mmm! Nessun dorma - The Three Tenors - Carreras/Domingo/Pavarotti Mind breaking music, so beautifully and perfectly sung. I would have loved to have seen these in concert.
11. Andrew Lloyd Webber: Variations by Julian Lloyd Webber - if you have ever seen the Southbank Show you will know the music. This one continues for further than the show ever played and is fast, lively and engaging, making my body want to jump and move about with the music, by golly it is great to type to … it is almost like playing a piano to the violin, drums and cello - ha ha if you have this music try it. It is so relaxing. It makes the fingers almost bounce off the keyboard. Wonderful piece of music …..aa;;;…l,…m…..kl;;;;;;;;;;.xxxx (Just my fingers dancing to the music!)
12. It is now time to relax. Pelagia's Song (From Captain Corelli's Mandolin) by Stephen Warbeck. If you have seen the film you will remember the magical music and the haunting scenes of the picturesque Greek island - Zephalonia.
13. Sanctus - The nuns of the priory of the resurrection.
15. Crazy Dog - John Barry - A repetitive piece of music which I thoroughly enjoy.
16. Appalachia Waltz Yo-Yo Ma - A long piece at 4.25 minutes but thoroughly enjoyable.
17. Janacek-Laska by Magdalene Kozena very short at 1.16 -
18. L'heure Exquise (Virgin one ad) Mischa Maisky Cello and Daria Hovora Piano. This is a very gentle piece of music which in places reminds me of a lullaby.
19. La Campanella Chloe - Fast violin.
21. Maria (West Side Story) Joshua Bell - Anyone who has seen this film knows how this music bounces and clicks in the beginning leading you into the remarkable song Maria, just listening to the music without the words portrays the sadness of this film.
22. The last on this track is Aurora - Cantamus - hauntingly pleasant.
Track 2
1. Ave Maria - yes again this time by Lesley Garrett just a different version although this one is preferable by me to the other one.
2. Mattinata - Russell Watson -
3. Ebben? Ne andro lontana (From la Wally)
4. Where'er you walk (Handel) Bryn Terfel Sung strongly and with passion.
5. Massenet: meditation from Thais - Kennedy at 5.38 this is truly a piece of music to lose yourself into especially if you like to daydream or meditate. I find it incredibly spiritual and calming.
6. Fratello Sole - Filippa Giordano - Calming and leads on perfectly from the last track.
7. Verdi: Di quella Pira - Placido Domingo - awake again this is from 11 Trovatore. Domingo has such a powerful voice.
8. The Quarry (From Enigma) John Barry - A calming and pleasantly repetitive tune.
9. O Mio babbino caro - Renee Fleming -
10. Eternal Vow (From Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) Tan Dun - Shanghai percussion and orchestra. I find this an interesting piece of music which is calming and soothing to listen to.
11. Bizet: Habanera (From Carmen) Nana Mouskouri - there is definitely something about this piece of music and if I were ever to go to an opera this is one I would want to see. It is sung brilliantly.
12. I am a poor wayfaring stranger - Andreas Scholl -
13. O Sole Mio - Pavrotti. What can be said about this piece of music as much as we sing just one cornetto it is still a magnificent piece of music and as for Pavarotti? His voice is truly and simply mind blowing!
14. Baby plays around - Anne Sofie Von Otter/Elvis Costello -
15. If I Ruled the World. Harry Secombe - A song with super words - if only.
16. The Blue Bird - The choir of New College Oxford
17. Sanctus 11 Libera - (Pachelbell)
18. Mussorgsky: Gopak from Sorochintsky Fair
19. La donna e mobile (From Rigoletto) Marcelo Alvarez - I could not think what this piece was until I heard it and many of you would probably have the same reaction.
20. Bizet - Carmen variations. Arcadi Volodos - piano.
It is currently on Ebay £1.50 (13hrs) left Not my one though!
Just the words classical music is enough for people to turn their noses up and not bother to listen. I do know for a fact that our local tube station is currently playing classical music to stop youths from 'hanging' around the station at night and the last report stated that it was working.
There are simply some wonderful pieces of classical music in the shops and it does seem a shame that many of the younger generation do not listen to it (as it is not cool). As a parent I tried to encourage my children to listen to different kinds of music and now my daughter does enjoy listening to a bit of classical although she does not tell her friends.
In school I play soothing classical music to the children when they come in for register and now they ask me 'to put the music on' when they are writing. So it is a matter of taste. Music is very special to me as it is with other people; certain songs hold memories sometimes we do not know why. Some voices just affect our senses in such a way that we may cry when we hear it or perhaps detest the music and just switch it off. I would imagine the classical 'goes with my age' but I would not say that, I would say it goes with my mood.
My taste is extremely eclectic from Mozart to Eminem to the blues to jazz to rock and roll and R & B and others for times like this evening Pavrotti is currently drowning my senses.
Well that has been an enjoyable session for me at least - if you stayed the musical journey - thank you. I hope it bought back some musical memories for you.
Teacherofhooch
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How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Not applicable
How does it rate alongside the competition
Outstanding
Cover / Inlay Design and Content
Satisfactory
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